Leadership, Work, and the Dark Side of Personality

Leadership, Work, and the Dark Side of Personality

by Seth M. Spain
Released February 2019
Publisher(s): Academic Press
ISBN: 9780128128220

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Book description

Leadership, Work, and the Dark Side of Personality uses an interpersonal psychological perspective to unite general theories of both personality and leadership. By focusing in on the interpersonal, the book characterizes social behaviors by their agency (how dominant they are) and by their communion (how relational and nurturing they are). It argues that these interpersonal dimensions align closely with the traditional structure of leader behaviors—both task-related and relationship oriented behaviors—and uses those frameworks to orient trait theory for both normal-range personality traits and subclinical (dark side) traits.

After overviewing the history of leadership theory, reviewing normal range personality traits (Extraversion, Neuroticism, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness and Openness) and subclinical traits, such as the Dark Triad (Narcissism, Machiavellianism and Psychopathy), the book moves on to thoroughly bring the perspective of interpersonal psychology to bear on questions of personality and leadership, and ends by narrowing in on how the dark side of personality affects the leadership process—for better and for worse.

  • Discusses the role of personality in job performance and satisfaction
  • Critiques both historical and contemporary leadership approaches
  • Includes lesser known approaches to leadership, such as paternalism and empowerment
  • Narrows in on the dark side of personality and the role it plays in the leadership process
  • Distinguishes between effective leaders and successful leaders

Table of contents

  1. Cover image
  2. Title page
  3. Table of Contents
  4. Copyright
  5. Dedication
  6. Biography
  7. Overview
  8. Acknowledgments
  9. Chapter 1. Foundations of Self and Leadership
    1. Abstract
    2. The Self?
    3. Vision as a Reflection of the Self
    4. The Role of Identity in Leadership
    5. Leadership and the Self
    6. Personal Foundations of Leadership
    7. Authenticity and Leadership
    8. Developing Self-Concept Clarity
    9. Conclusion
    10. References
  10. Chapter 2. Introduction to Personality Theory
    1. Abstract
    2. A Metatheoretical Framework for Personality
    3. The “Big Five” or Five Factor Model
    4. Personality at Work
    5. Origins of Personality
    6. References
  11. Chapter 3. The Dark Side of Personality
    1. Abstract
    2. What Is the Meaning of “Dark Personality”?
    3. Absence of Dark Personality in Personality Research
    4. Legal Concerns in Practitioner Settings, Such as Human Resources
    5. Historical Origins of Dark Personality
    6. The Dark Triad
    7. Axis II Approaches to Dark Personality
    8. Dark Motives, Goals, and Other Non-“Traits”
    9. Dark Personality in Relation to Other Models of Personality
    10. Measurement Issues
    11. Technical Note: Item Response Properties and the Informativeness of Tests
    12. Warning: The Dangers of Short Measures of Dark Side Characteristics
    13. Other Reports, Explicit, and Implicit Assessment
    14. Nonlinearity of Dark Personality Effects
    15. Personnel Selection and Training
    16. Future Directions
    17. Conclusion
    18. References
  12. Chapter 4. Leadership and Organization
    1. Abstract
    2. Leadership Models
    3. Leadership and Management: Ends Versus Means
    4. Behavioral Models of Leadership
    5. Contingent Models of Leadership
    6. Strategic Interaction, Learning, and the Role of Follower Perceptions of Leaders
    7. Conclusion
    8. Technical Appendix to Chapter 4
    9. A Detour Through Bayes’ Theorem
    10. The Bayesian Formalism
    11. A Description of the Model
    12. References
  13. Chapter 5. Modern Approaches to Leadership
    1. Abstract
    2. Charismatic Leadership
    3. Transformational Leadership
    4. Leader–Member Exchange
    5. Recent Trends
    6. Similarities and Differences in Modern Approaches
    7. Comprehensive Overview of Modern Classical and Modern Leadership Models
    8. References
  14. Chapter 6. Leadership and Personality
    1. Abstract
    2. Leader Emergence and Personality
    3. Leader Effectiveness and Personality
    4. Dark Personality and Leadership
    5. Dark Personality and Managerial Careers
    6. Dysfunctional Versus Dark Bosses
    7. Personality Change
    8. Normal-Range Personality
    9. Can Dark Personality Change?
    10. Learning How to Lead From the Dark Side
    11. References
  15. Conclusion
    1. Being a Caring Leader
    2. Own Your Development
  16. Index

Product information

  • Title: Leadership, Work, and the Dark Side of Personality
  • Author(s): Seth M. Spain
  • Release date: February 2019
  • Publisher(s): Academic Press
  • ISBN: 9780128128220